3304-2-51 Vocational rehabilitation program.

(A) RSC shall provide vocational rehabilitation (VR) services for eligible individuals with disabilities, consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choice, so that they may prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment.

(B) RSC shall not discriminate against any person on the basis of age, color, national origin, race, sex, disability, religion, military status or ancestry.

(C) RSC shall not require a duration of residency to provide services to an applicant who is present in Ohio. An applicant shall establish that he/she is either a U.S. citizen or a legal entrant into the U.S. RSC may require an applicant to provide verification of employment authorization.

(D) RSC shall process referrals and applications, determine eligibility or ineligibility, and provide services in a timely manner. RSC may collaborate with partners to assist in implementing the VR program.

(E) RSC shall inform each consumer about RSC’s civil rights compliance, the methods of consumer appeal, and confidentiality. These rights shall be provided in the native language or mode of communication of the consumer’s understanding. RSC shall also provide each consumer a copy of the application for services, a copy of rights and duties, informed choice, and MRDD rights, as appropriate, through a method that is appropriate for each consumer. RSC shall inform each applicant, consumer or their representative about the client assistance program.

(F) RSC shall inform each consumer that information given to or retained by RSC is confidential, whether it is required by law, what it is used for, and how and why it may be released.

(G) This rule is designed to implement “Title IV of the Workforce Investment Act,” which contains the 1998 amendments to “The Rehabilitation Act of 1973,” and resulting regulations.

Effective: 03/30/2009

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/15/2008 and 01/02/2014

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 3304.16(A)

Rule Amplifies: 3304.16(E) and (K)(5), 1347.05(E), 1347.08(A)(1) and (3)

Prior Effective Dates: 9/30/1985, 12/1/1986, 5/11/1987, 4/4/1988, 3/12/1993, 1/11/1999, 1/3/2000, 6/20/2002, 1/20/2004, 8/4/2008